#News

Tribunal cautions against frivolous applications

Tribunal cautions against frivolous applications

By Sunmola Olowookere
|
The 2019 Ondo State National Assembly and State House of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal has cautioned parties in the seven petitions brought before it, against frivolous applications that will portray the panel as unserious.

The Chairman of the three- member Tribunal, Justice Nuhu Adi, who issued the warning at the inaugural sitting in Akure, said the panel only had 180days under the electoral act to determine the seven petitions.

Justice Adi however assured that the Tribunal’s members would deploy high level of professionalism, legal skills and transparency to ensure that both petitioners and respondents were served justice as required by the law.

Seven state and federal lawmakers-elect are facing sack at the tribunal.

The cases include the Mega Party against Senator Ajayi Boroffice for Ondo North Senatorial District.

Omotadowa Smart is challenging the election of Akingbaso Festus of PDP for Idanre State Constituency as well as Abayomi Akinfemiwa of the PDP versus a member of Reps, Mayowa Akinfolarin of the APC for Ileoluji/Okeigbo/Odigbo Federal Constituency.

Other petitions are that of Mr. Ojogo Donald of the APC who wants the court to sack Akinjo Kolade, of the PDP for Ilaje/Ese-Odo Federal Constituency; Oladapo Abiola of the PDP praying the tribunal to nullify the election that produced Williams Adewale of the APC for Ondo West State Constituency-2; Albert Akintoye of the APC seeking the removal of Ikengboju Gboluga of the PDP as the lawmaker-elect for Okitipupa/Irele Federal Constituency as well as Falana Tajudeen of the Alliance Action against the re-election of a state lawmaker, Felemu Olusegun of the APC for Akoko South West State Constituency-2.

Related News  Aiyedatiwa reiterates commitment to sports development

Justice Adi said: “We therefore solicit the maximum cooperation of all that are involved in this exercise , particularly the legal representatives of the parties in all the petitions”.

“The hearing of the petitions shall be on a day to day basis, including public holidays in order to meet up with 180 days period provided for the hearing and determination of each petition.

The Tribunal’s Chairman noted that, “the parties are hereby enjoined to be ready to work within the mandatory period stipulated by the law. The panel shall remain in absolute and firm control of the court until the exercise is over.

He said, “On this note, the Tribunal shall not condone or allow frivolous applications calculated to draw back the proceedings. Unnecessary application for adjournment of a matter would not be entertained, as undue delay would portray the Tribunal as unserious.

“Any ploy by any counsel to waste the precious time of the Tribunal by engaging in asking irrelevant questions during cross-examination of witnesses shall not be tolerated”.

Justice Adi said, “We assure you that in the quest to get the truth of the matter before us, we shall exercise our judicial function in utmost good faith and we shall work with open mind , without any form of bias. We also pledge not to lend ourselves to any form of influence or inducement”.

The chairman said the tribunal would be holding sitting both the weekends and public holidays.

Share
Tribunal cautions against frivolous applications

We ‘ll bring healthcare services to your

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *